President Obama will travel to Oklahoma on Sunday to see firsthand the areas devastated by this week's deadly tornadoes, the White House announced.

The president will meet with families affected by the devastation and thank first responders during his visit to the Oklahoma City area, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney told reporters.

Obama has directed his administration to provide all available resources to help in the recovery. "As a nation, our full focus right now is on the urgent work of rescue and the hard work of recovery and rebuilding that lies ahead," Obama said in a White House statement Tuesday. "Our prayers are with the people of Oklahoma today, and we will back up those prayers with deeds for as long as it takes."

A massive tornado struck the suburban town of Moore on Monday afternoon, devastating schools and homes and killing 24 people.